Hens only or should I get a drake?

[quackiemama]

I personally love having my drake around and I am not breeding them. I just genuinely love my drake and so do the ladies!

 

[Miss Lydia]

It all depends on the person most don’t mind having drakes roosters ganders etc in their flocks others only see them as something to never have or get rid of at all cost. It’s all up to the person who is considering them. I enjoy my drakes they bring a lot to my flock. But I will say it needs to be thought out carefully. Drakes are high hormones and that can mean over breeding for females so always the ratio needs to be taken in to consideration to keep the females from injury.

 

[quackiemama]

It all depends on the person most don’t mind having drakes roosters ganders etc in their flocks others only see them as something to never have or get rid of at all cost. It’s all up to the person who is considering them. I enjoy my drakes they bring a lot to my flock. But I will say it needs to be thought out carefully. Drakes are high hormones and that can mean over breeding for females so always the ratio needs to be taken in to consideration to keep the females from injury.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

You only need a Drake If planning to breed. Hens are fantastic without a Drake. They still look out for predators.

This is also my opinion. I have a small hen-only flock, and they all keep a look out for predators. If I got a drake, I’d have a really hard time taking the fertilized eggs away from my two ultra—broody Muscovy hens....and then there would inevitably be ducklings hatched at some point. My ‘Scovy girls would be happy with that, but I’d have to find homes for them all. I like having control over my flock size. That being said, there is a part of me that still goes back and forth on this issue.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You wouldn’t have any more trouble taking fertile eggs away than non fertile.. Muscovy are egg obsessed.

 

[chickens really]

Destroy the nest daily and matter of a factly grab them and remove from the nest. It's pretty easy being smarter than a duck.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Daphne_loves_mealworms has had Muscovy long enough I bet she knows just what to do!

 

[chickens really]

@Daphne_loves_mealworms has had Muscovy long enough I bet she knows just what to do!

A duck is a duck so I'm sure she can figure things out on her own..

 

[casportpony]

You wouldn’t have any more trouble taking fertile eggs away than non fertile.. Muscovy are egg obsessed.

They really can be! I've had some that would not budge even after I removed all eggs and destroyed their nests. Those hens I had to stick in a 12' x 12' pen until their broodiness subsided.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Aren’t they funny things gotta love them.